Numbness in Toes and Feet

Your feet carries the entire body weight throughout the day. If it goes numb, you feel extremely uncomfortable. When it happens for a brief period of time after sitting in a cross-legged position for a long time or tying a tight bandage in the lower part of the leg, then you need not worry about it. Here, the blood flow to the feet is obstructed temporarily due to the awkward sitting position or the bandage. However, if numbness persists and becomes so bad that you cannot walk or drive, then it is a cause for concern.

Causes

In simple terms, numbness in feet is lack of sensation in the upper and lower feet and the toes. You get a feeling as if the feet have fallen asleep. This mostly happens when there is a communication gap between the nerves present in the feet and the central nervous system. As a result, the nerves fail to send out sensory impulses to the brain.

Nerve damage is one of the primary reason behind numb toes and feet. Prolonged diabetes can badly affect normal functioning of the nerves. This condition is also known as diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and it arises when the blood sugar level is not properly controlled. Morton's neuroma often causes numbness when running. It is commonly found in runners and results from abnormal growth of thick scar tissue on the foot nerves because of repeated compression of the nerves by ill fitted shoes. This gives numbness particularly to the base of the third and fourth toes. Other causes of nerve damage are obesity, aging, side effects of medicines, deficiency of vitamin B12, etc.

A traumatic injury to the feet that leads to fracture in the bone or swelling in the soft tissues can be responsible for pain and numbness in toes and feet. In this condition, the swollen part of the tissue or the fractured bone gets pressed against the nerve. Those who have foot problems like flat feet or high arches often experience this problem as the abnormality in foot structure exert an additional amount of pressure on the foot nerves.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition that arises due to pressing of the posterior tibial nerve of the feet when it passes the narrow tarsal tunnel that lies next to the ankle bone. There are several arteries, veins, tendons present inside the tarsal tunnel. Inflammation in these structural components due to sprain or varicose veins, tendonitis or growth of bone spur, can cause compress the tibial nerve inside the tunnel that leads to numbness.

Bunion is a foot deformity that causes big toe numbness, but if left untreated it may affect other toes as well. It occurs due to wearing of ill fitted shoes and is more commonly found in women. Any circulatory disorder can trigger feet and toe numbness. Peripheral artery disease restricts normal blood flow to the feet as the arteries are clogged with fatty deposits. Similarly, in Raynaud's disease, the blood vessels get constricted because of exposure to cold temperature or stress, and blood flow to the feet gets affected, causing numbness. Those who are suffering from kidney diseases or heart diseases often complain about numb feeling in the toes and feet.

Treatment

Treatment is based upon the underlying condition. Diabetic patients have to keep the blood sugar level in check with medicines and diet. Any circulation disorder need to be treated properly with suitable medicines and lifestyle changes, in order to get rid of this problem. Those who are suffering from vitamin deficiency are prescribed vitamin supplements to restore normal functioning of the nerves. If wrong footwear is the culprit, then podiatrists suggest wearing of shoes with the right fitting. Sometimes, shoe inserts help a lot in correcting the feet problems.

Patients with compressed nerves are advised to take adequate amount of rest. It should be accompanied by heat and cold compression in order to reduce swelling and inflammation. If required, pain reliving medicines are also prescribed for the same purpose. Massaging of the feet is also of great help. However, if these methods of treatment do not yield results, then surgery is needed to release the pressed nerve. In some cases of Morton's neuroma, surgery is done to eliminate the scarred tissue.

Numbness in toes and feet can be prevented to some extent by wearing the right kind of footwear. High-heeled shoes or narrow toe shoes are better avoided. During physically strenuous activity, shoes with proper support should be worn to protect the feet from injury. The health disorders that trigger numbness of the feet can be prevented with the help of a healthy lifestyle.